Reviews// PlayStation 3 Super Slim 500GB

What is it?

When is a PlayStation 3 Super Slim not a PlayStation 3 Super Slim? When it's The New PS3.

Allow me to explain. The piece of hardware under review here is the third major incarnation of the PlayStation 3 console. Hard drive sizes aside, the original model came in a few different versions under the hood, but we've only had two versions of the case design so far.

The original "Fat" model was followed by a "Slim" model, although Sony never referred to them as such. So as soon as rumours of an even slimmer case started bubbling under, it was dubbed the "Super Slim" model. Again, Sony hasn't referred to it in these terms.

So what's so different about this new PS3 model then? As you may expect, its a bit slimmer than the previous one, it's also a bit less deep (from front to back when the console is lying down). This adds up to a reduction in size of about 20%. There's also a reduction in weight of about 25%.

None of which really matters to you when you're playing games as long as you can find room for it under your telly. Similarly, the weight doesn't matter unless you're planning on hanging it from the wall.

Accessories

There are three major changes with respect to gaming that you will find with the new PS3: the hard drive, the Blu-ray drive and, in certain markets, the internal flash memory. The cables and controller you get with it are exactly the same and, as we noted in our unboxing video, the new PS3 still doesn't come with an HDMI cable.

The hard drive is simple. There's a 500GB version everywhere and a 250GB version in most places outside of Europe. As usual with PS3s, the hard drive is user-changeable, although you'll have to hunt for it since the manual gives you no clues as to its location. Hint: it's in the end without a rubber stopper covering an attachment point for a vertical stand.

The Blu-ray drive is another matter. The new PS3 has a top-loader rather than the previous models' slot loading drives. However, this isn't a pop-up top-loader like the slim PS2. This drive has a sliding cover that opens from right to left, or top to bottom if the PS3 is standing up.

The cover can be moved by hand if you wish, there's also an eject button to do the work for you, but there is no software eject from the triangle button menus in the Xross Media Bar (XMB) interface. In addition, you have to close the cover by hand, which can be a bit fiddly if it's upright, and the PS3 won't start reading a disc unless you do.

I can't comment on the utility or performance of the 12GB flash memory version of the new PS3 since the unit Sony provided us with for the purposes of this review is a 500GB hard drive version. However, I'd expect the flash memory to be quicker to access than the hard drive.

Comments

bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch. All yall are doing is bitching about s**t yall cant change or control. dont like it? Dont buy it dumbass. Yall sit there and bitch and moan about "oooh i want a newer ps3, ooooh i wish i had more memory, ooooh whens there gunna be a ps4?" and then when they give you what you want you nit pick over stupid s**t. How about since none of you work for sony you shut your f**king mouths and be happy and thankful for what they have done for you.

Kilo Graham28 Oct 2012 14:00

7/25

@cat beach beach beach beach beach beach. All you are doing is beaching about sheet you cant change or control. dont like it? Dont read it dumb-bum. How about since you don't work for sony YOU shut your freaking mouth.

more comments below our sponsor's message

T-bagger28 Oct 2012 21:14

8/25

this new ps3 is a cheap disaster that has already happened

steve2 Nov 2012 06:12

9/25

i have one of these new 500gb models and i think its a good system its small,quite and has a s**t load of memory,so what the hell go for it!

aviral6 Nov 2012 16:46

10/25

the new ps3 500 gb doesnt looks great the ps3 320 gb move bundle is better in looks

Aaron17 Nov 2012 08:18

11/25

Ok so i bought the new super slimIt's not bad at all, the sliding does need a bit more than just a delicate push but seems to work fine. the disks can be taken out with relitive ease (harder than older models though). But yea I got what i think was a very good deal. i bought the 12g model with Black ops 2 for $399 Nz which is around 204 pounds. and considering black ops 2 is going for 100+ dollars I am very pleased as the consol was effectivly 290 dollars. or 148 pounds

Nick17 Nov 2012 12:01

12/25

I had gotten this the day it came out. It's already beginning to freeze like the top comment said. If you are wanting a ps3 just go ahead with the slim to stay on the safe side, and save yourself from having to send it in to sony for repair (luckily I have a warranty). I have a feeling though that I will have to send it in for repair more than once.

Yash Rasti25 Nov 2012 11:05

13/25

All d idiots are talking about CHEAP plastic,, tel me u have to play wireless games sitting 5 mtrs away from ur LED/LCD and ur Console OR u have to sit and jump over ur console?? No issues wid cheap plastic,, Neither with the disk loading... Only problem is they dont give HDMI cable along wid it, but not an issue, u can buy it from ur Local electronics market, easily available at Rs. 150 only (At Naza market in Lucknow)..Play and Enjoy and feel d graphics...

Ps3:Ambusher2028 Nov 2012 16:34

14/25

i think cas the fat one look the beast 2nd is the super slim and 3rd is slim one

Robbi23 Dec 2012 14:09

15/25

Does The -s3 Super Slim Have Built In 3d ?

Shauno dribbz26 Dec 2012 08:10

16/25

@cat_ mate what I think is your one of though's dicks that looks for s**t to argue about online. All thoughs posts had a point why would any one want more memory and sacrifice the quality of the unit as it has been years since the release of the ps3 and not every one has the skill to pull there console apart and fix it, there for they expect the same quality as there first ps3 witch Sony are not providing.

georgie b/junle 31 Dec 2012 23:16

17/25

ive had it since christmas day so far so good quite happy with it. i got fed up with microsoft after buying 1 xbox 360 in 2007 and it broke about 14 months later. sent it back to micro soft and it came back broken. bought another xbox 360 and it broke a year later so i decided to buy dis new super slim as i said so far so good hopefully it lasts 3 times longer dan my previous 2 xbox's

Sparklefingers2 Jan 2013 14:07

18/25

We had to buy a new ps3 recently this was all we could get. It's horrible, it's already broken and gone back to the shop, it kept freezing, which meant unplugging the bloody thing and when ejecting the disc the spindle bit you clip the disc to wont stop spinning. It's gone back today and the guy at the shop said not another one. What does it say about the quality?

allan30 Jan 2013 14:28

19/25

i bought the new ps3 500gb and i got GTA episodes from liberty city its got two games on it the lost and damned & the ballad of gat tony. For some reason the console wont load the ballad of gay tony but plays the lost and damned has anyone got the same problem? I tuck the game back to the shop and got them to change the disc but i still have the same problem.

kev7 Feb 2013 16:27

20/25

shouldnt be standing new super slim up !!! hence pads on bottom !!! However saying that mine is a few months old and the hard drive makes some seriously loud noises which it never did when first owned @Jack

Wisdom12 Feb 2013 15:13

21/25

@Yash_Rasti Cheap plastic's an indication that the product itself is cheaply made. And Cat, you realize this is a review page, correct? If you don't like reading what people have to say, don't... Yash & Cat: 2 Common Sense: 0

MH3U19 Feb 2013 05:17

22/25

Lucky I read more about the super slim b4 buying one I rather get a PS3 Slim instead thnx for all the info people.

ps3 superslim is the shit24 Apr 2013 04:29

23/25

all of you are some f**king retards

Dildouche the mighty21 May 2013 14:00

24/25

@Roberto_ maybe if you werent an idiot and put your ps3 where your retard kid couldn't get to it, you wouldn't have s**t like crackers and bread in your system, you f**king dimwit

mike olsen31 May 2013 19:29

25/25

I bought a limited edition white super slim 3 days ago. Played it for those 3 Days and it died. Completely dead won't even turn on. Called Sony and they told me it was most likely a faulty power supply. Went and exchanged it for a new one today. We'll see how number two goes.